Life is fleeting.
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Sometimes it takes a diagnosis, a health scare or the passing of time to truly understand just how precious it is.
For the members of Cobram-Barooga band City Lites, that deeply personal understanding has given their return to the stage a meaning that goes far beyond music.
Lead singer Trisha Hicks has faced breast cancer and continues to undergo regular check-ups, carrying with her the possibility that the disease could return.
Other members of the band have faced their own serious health battles, while some have also experienced challenges with their mental health.
So when the five musicians found themselves together again, they knew the opportunity was one not to take for granted.
City Lites reunited at Barooga Sporties on August 15, as the club celebrated its 45th birthday.
The country rock and soft rock band were once regulars at the venue, performing covers of the biggest hits of the 1970s and ’80s.
Trisha said hundreds of people came to see the band perform for the first time since 1983.
“The place was packed, you couldn’t get a seat, and it was so wonderful because I had people there that were from the first band that I was ever in,” she said.
Many stayed behind after the show to catch up, reminiscing about weddings and other local clubs where City Lites had performed.
“I was shocked. I really didn’t think that it would mean so much to so many people ... that was amazing and wonderful,” Trisha said.
“The whole atmosphere was just full of joy and love, people were just so happy. It was just a wonderful night.”
In a nod to her days with the band, Trisha took to the stage in the leather pants and leopard-print top she was known for more than 40 years ago.
The band was supported by Border Rock, featuring City Lites’ own Peter Carpinelli alongside Mick Camilotti.
For guitarist Rick Harris, the idea of performing again was initially daunting.
“When I first rang Rick, he said, ‘Oh, I don’t know, I haven’t picked up the guitar for over 35 years, so I’m not sure that my hands will even work, or I’ll remember anything’,” Trisha said.
“I said to him, ‘You’re going to be among friends, it’s not going to be polished and perfect, but we’ll give it a good shot’.
“I said, ‘Just remember you’ve got muscle memory and just draw on that and just relax, enjoy yourself and things will come back to you’.”
Drummer Jack Vogel said despite limited time to prepare and practice altogether, the show went well.
“When I was first contacted about the reunion, my initial thoughts were that it would be a very hard task with only 12 days notice before the performance,” he said.
“However, when I discovered that the other members of the band were keen to give it a go, I didn’t want to let the team down.
“The highlight of my night was that my two daughters and extended family who attended the show had never seen or heard me play the drums as they weren’t even born when the band finished performing.”
Guitarist Peter Carpinelli said the reunion was another chapter in what he described as a “truly great story”.
“It was great to catch up with everyone and great get together, and maybe, health permitting, we can do it again,” he said.
Guitarist Carmine Mantovani said being back together was a chance to reconnect with the people who had followed City Lites years ago.
“I didn’t think we could do it so well, but we did, and it was great to catch up with people that followed us back then,” he said.
Trisha said the reunion had given the band members something they perhaps needed more than they realised.
“For us, as individuals, the reunion has given the band members something to look forward to and has given their lives a lot of joy,” she said.
Trisha said seeing the men she considered her brothers again was “very emotional” — and a little amusing, given the years had left everyone with grey hair or no hair.
Yet once they started practising, the years seemed to disappear.
“The minute we started, it just all pulled together,” she said.
“It was just like we hadn't ever been apart.”
Now, other clubs have approached City Lites about performing again, with the band considering returning to some of the venues where they played regularly all those years ago.